VESTAL, NY (607NewsNow) — Purple Heart recipient and motivational speaker Sgt. Rick Yarosh has released A Bridge Named Amos, an inspiring children’s book honoring his late service dog, Amos. The book, told from Amos’ perspective, teaches young readers the power of HOPE (Hold On, Possibilities Exist) and was released during Veterans Day week.

Amos, a gentle black Lab born on Christmas Day, accompanied Yarosh for years on the road with Sweethearts & Heroes, a student empowerment and empathy activation organization. Together, they traveled nearly 100,000 miles, inspiring thousands of students to overcome challenges, celebrate differences, and embrace empathy. Amos passed away in October, just as the book was being finalized.

“Everyone that met Amos loved him,” Yarosh shares. “He was the gentlest dog I’ve ever known. I will always remember how he helped children overcome their fear of dogs. He was like my child, and I was never lonely when Amos was there.”

Yarosh, a retired U.S. Army sergeant from Windsor, NY, sustained severe injuries during a 2006 deployment to Iraq, including burns over 60% of his body and the loss of his right leg below the knee. Despite these challenges, he has dedicated his life to inspiring others, speaking to millions through schools, sports teams, military groups, and non-profits.

Illustrated by Kevin Cannon, A Bridge Named Amos is geared toward grades K-5 and comes with a free workbook. It’s available on Amazon and through Sweethearts & Heroes.

For more information about Yarosh and his story, click the links to watch a couple of short videos: